Our office has been tracking a number of major legislative and judicial actions that affect the public policy priorities of the Catholic Church.

New York State

Abortion Expansion (S.7511) – The Governor has included provisions of the so-called "Reproductive Health Act" in his budget bill. This is a radical pro-abortion proposal that would remove any barriers to abortion, including late-term abortions, and would permit non-doctors to perform abortions. The New York State Catholic Conference opposes any effort to expand abortion rights. For more information see our Abortion tab.

Assisted Suicide (A.2383/S.3151) – The so-called "Medical Aid in Dying Act" has been pending without action. Advocates have said they wish to push for a vote in the Assembly Health Committee. The New York State Catholic Conference opposes any effort to legalize assisted suicide. For more information see our Assisted Suicide tab.

Assisted Suicide Litigation – On September 7, 2017, the New York State Court of Appeals unanimously rejected an attempt to legalize assisted suicide. The New York State Catholic Conference submitted a friend of the court brief arguing in support of the current ban on assisted suicide. For more information see our Assisted Suicide tab.

Surrogate Parenting (A.6959-A/S.17-A) – The so-called "Child-Parent Security Act" would overturn current New York law that invalidates any contract for paid surrogate parenting. The New York State Task Force on Life and the Law has issued a report, with a very strong dissent, that recommends legalizing commercial surrogate parenting. The New York State Catholic Conference opposes any effort to legalize surrogate parenting contracts. For more information see our Surrogate Parenting tab.

The Conscience Protection Act of 2017 (H.R. 644) has been included in appropriations bills. This bill would clarify federal law to ensure that health care professionals cannot be forced to participate in abortions and health plans can decline to cover abortions. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops supports this bill.

The Child Welfare Provider Inclusion Act (H.R. 1881/S. 811) protects the religious freedom of child welfare service providers, including adoption and foster care agencies from discrimination on the basis that they decline to provide services that violate religious beliefs. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops supports this bill.

The Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (H.R.36/S.1922) would ban abortions after 20 weeks, the time when unborn children can experience pain. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops supports this bill.

H. Con. Res. 80 would not enact any new laws, but would express the sense of Congress that assisted suicide is not legitimate healthcare. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops supports this resolution.

Deferred Action on Childhood Arrivals (DACA) -- This program suspended deportation of persons who arrived in the United States while they were still children (so-called "Dreamers", a name derived from a proposed "Dream Act" that would protect them). Negotiations are currently underway between Congress and the White House to resolve their status. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops supports a legislative solution that would permit "Dreamers" to remain in the United States.